Heat Exchanger Material Suggestions

Heat Exchanger Material Suggestions

Heat Exchanger Material Suggestions

I am working on a project which requires a heat exchanger that can handle sea water on one side and deionized water on the other. Additionally, because of the application, no copper alloys can be used.

For deionized water only, I would typically use 316 stainless, but I believe the sea water will pose an issue to this material. I know brass is generally good for sea water, but this will be problematic for DI water, and as it contains copper, cannot be used. Titanium has been suggested, and seems to be a good fit, but is fairly expensive. Does anybody have any suggestions of other materials to look into? Thanks.

RE: Heat Exchanger Material Suggestions

For this service people generally use either a super-austenitic stainless (such as AL-6XN), or a super-ferritic stainless (such as Sea-Cure), or Ti.All three alloys have long track records for successful use in seawater.The super-ferritic will have the lowest cost of the three options. Using Sea-Cure for tubes and AL-6XN for the rest of the seawater exposed parts would be a typical construction.

RE: Heat Exchanger Material Suggestions

Titanium is your best overall choice and has a proven track record with both fluids. If the HX is not too big, the additional cost of TI, will not be too bad.

But, part of your choice of materials will depend on the style of the HX that you require..? Is this a shell & tube. plate-frame or what ? Will you need to periodically clean the seawater side of the HX ?

-MJC

RE: Heat Exchanger Material Suggestions

I think Ti is a little bit of an overkill, unless this is a plate & frame type Hx and then I'd consider it seriously. I think the super ferritics should do just fine in this service if it is a shell & tube Hx.

MJC, did you get your words out of order? I think your last sentence should read "You WILL need to periodically clean the seawater side of the Hx.

RE: Heat Exchanger Material Suggestions

Thanks for all the suggestions. The plan right now is to use a plate-frame HX since it should be smaller in size, although I do want to evaluate all of my options. The hot side (DI water) inlet temperature is approximately 167 F max, and the cold side (sea water) should be around 85 F max. Any additional advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, could anyone suggest some possible manufacturers of such a HX? Thanks.

RE: Heat Exchanger Material Suggestions

MJC, couldn't agree more. If you don't put a good serviceable strainer in front of a P&F, the P&F will itself become a strainer for everything too large to get through the narrow flow passages. They make wonderful strainers even though that isn't what they were bought for.